New student registration materials are all available on line. If you are able to download the forms, fill them out, and return them to the AMS office. New students can begin school 48 hours after all completed forms are received and approved. Students with IEPs or 504s may take longer.

Forms are available on the district webpage at http://vallecito-ca.schoolloop.com>Parents>Student Registration. You need to print

1) Student Registration Form (to be filled out)

2) Ethnicity Form (to be filled out)

3) Home Language Survey (to be filled out)

4) Proof of Residency Requirements (information only)

5) Residency Declaration (to be filled out)

To support the Residency Declaration you will need to provide copies of the following:

1) Provide ORIGINAL Parent/Guardian's Picture ID from the following list: 

Current California State Driver’s License; or 

Current California State ID Card; or 

Valid Passport or Consulate Issued Picture ID.

Must supply at least two documents from either category #2 or #3 below.

2) ORIGINAL CURRENT DOCUMENTS with the parent/guardian's name and street address: 

Valid vehicle registration; or 

Utility statements or payment receipt, (e.g. PG&E, CCWD); or 

Voter registration; or 

Correspondence from a government agency (i.e. CalWorks)

3) ORIGINAL CURRENT DOCUMENTS with the parent/guardian's name and street address: 

Property Tax Bill; or 

Rental or Lease agreement showing manager or owner’s name and phone number.

I will need copies of the following:

1) Immunization Record including tDap booster if going into 7th grade or 8th grade

2) Copy of the birth certificate

3) Copy of last report card

From the Avery Middle School ams-vallecito-ca.schoolloop.com>Departments>AMS Office (left side menu) , I will need the following:

1) School records release request

2) New enrolling student checklist (be sure and mark what math level to help us set up schedules)

If you need to mail in registration forms our address is

Avery Middle School

PO Box 329

Avery, CA 95233

Thank you,

Kathleen Oswald

School Secretary, Avery Middle School

Avery Middle School has been recognized as a Gold Ribbon School (previously the California Distinguished School) and as an Apple Distinguished School for five years in a row. This is quite an impressive accomplishment. Only a few schools in the country have earned the award this consistently. Because of that, educators around the state, the country, and the world want to come and visit. We conduct educational tours periodically. Students often share their experiences or work products with our guests. We are very proud of our students and staff. All visitors go away very impressed with the level of expertise our students demonstrate.

We wish you and your child a successful, productive 2017-2018 school year! This will be an exciting year here at Avery. We have several new staff members joining us and look forward to getting to know them.

Hawk Headlines

Hawk Headlines, our school newsletter, will be posted on our website each month at http://ams-vallecito-ca.schoolloop.com around the 20th of the month. The intent of this newsletter is to keep you informed of all school activities. Please keep it handy so that you can refer to it. Anyone is welcome to submit an article pertaining to school activities and/or students; please, no advertisements or personal news.

Student Information

Census Verification Summary Forms

These are VERY IMPORTANT in helping to update student information in the computer and imperative in an emergency involving your child. Please review ALL information completely and accurately or make changes once you log in to the Infinite Campus system. In the spot for Emergency Contact, please list someone other than the parent. We will always attempt to call parents/guardians first. Emergency contacts must be someone local who would be able to pick up a sick or injured child. Please be aware that no one will be allowed to pick up your child unless his/her name is on the emergency card or we have written permission from a parent/guardian. Please remember to update with the office, any information that may change during the school year.

Messages to Students

District policy regarding classroom interruption requires that the staff not interrupt instructional time except for emergencies. It is important for students and parents to make all transportation and activity arrangements prior to the start of the school day. If you are picking up your student for a pre-planned medical appointment, your child should notify his/her teacher in advance and come to the office so a call to the classroom is not necessary. Messages are delivered to the classrooms at 2:15, so be sure to contact the office before that time. Please remember that students are not allowed to use their cell phones during school hours.

Independent Study Contracts

If it is absolutely necessary for a child to be absent from school for 5 days or more, the parent may request an Independent Study Contract (ISC). While a student misses out on valuable classroom discussion and activities, an ISC does allow a child to receive credit for school. Parents may request the ISC from the school office a minimum of one week prior to the first day of absence. Parents are reminded of the importance of the child’s attendance at school and are asked to use good judgment when keeping a child out of school. Completed ISC’s WITH THE PARENT’S SIGNATURE are due in the school office upon return to school. ISC’s that are not completed will be graded as an F. Please see the left hand side bar for the ISC form.

Volunteer Drivers

Anyone who drives for a school function any time during the school year must have a Volunteer Driver form on file in the school office. If you plan on driving, please complete a new Volunteer Driver form and submit to the school office as soon as possible. We also have a General Release of Liability form, which must be filled out by the parent as permission for your child to be a passenger in a vehicle driven by a designated adult on specified occasions. These forms are available on the VUSD website as well as in our Sports Packet available on under "Athletics" on this site.

Eligibility for Extracurricular/Co-curricular Activities

Students must have a 2.0 GPA on the most recent report card to participate in athletics. Student Council Officers must maintain a 2.5 GPA. Leadership and Yearbook students must maintain a 2.0 GPA. Students must not have more than one hour of detention or any suspension in the period from one dance to the next. Participation in any extracurricular and co-curricular activities can be restricted at the principal’s discretion for reasons of student academic or behavioral concerns.

Attendance

Children are required by state law to attend school on a regular basis. The continuing education of your child is of utmost importance to us and this can only occur with regular attendance. The state requires that we keep close track of all absences for mandated reporting to the School Attendance Review Board (SARB). Under these guidelines the only excused absences are for illness, doctor/dentist appointments, quarantines, death in the immediate family, and in some cases, mandated court appearances. All other absences will be marked as unexcused.

If a student accrues three (3) unexcused absences, the first letter of truancy will be mailed home. The second letter of truancy will be sent on the next unexcused absence, and the third letter on the fifth unexcused absence, and then a letter of habitual truancy and SARB Referral on the next unexcused absence. Once a student has been reported to SARB, the student and parent will be required to meet with SARB to determine ways to improve school attendance. If unheeded, the parent could be referred to the District Attorney for legal action.

It is not our intention to create a contentious environment, but we are mandated by the state to follow these strict guidelines. Therefore, we ask your cooperation in this area of attendance.

Verification of Absences

Avery Middle School always attempts to call home daily whenever a child is absent from school. We encourage parents to call early or leave a message on the answering machine (795-8520) or fax machine (795-8539) or e-mail at koswald@vsd.k12.ca.us to report a child’s absence and the reason for the absence.

Tardies

The only reasons for excused tardies are illness and doctor, dentist, or counseling appointments. Tardiness not only takes away from your child’s education, but also interrupts the entire classroom and the education of the rest of the students. The child who is consistently tardy does not learn responsibility and the importance of being prompt. Unexcused tardies may also be reported to SARB and dealt with in the same manner as unexcused absences.

Student Insurance Forms

The district does not provide medical insurance for students who are injured while participating in school activities. This remains the responsibility of the parent. Medical insurance is required for participation in some school activities such as skiing and Science Camp. Forms are available on the VUSD website. It is a fairly inexpensive policy and provides coverage for school time activities or for 24-hour coverage. Please read it carefully and if you decide to purchase the insurance, mail the completed forms and the remittance directly to the address provided. Do not send them to the school office.

Bus Information

Riding the school bus is a privilege – not a right. Students are to behave in a manner that does not distract the bus driver nor endanger themselves or other students. A complete outline of bus riding rules and regulations are included in the Parent Student Handbook. Vallecito Union School District will collect transportation fees for school bus service. You may pay all at one time, by trimester, or you may purchase an occasional rider ticket at the school office for $.50. Please turn in payments at the school office. Bus application forms are available on the VUSD website under Parents - Bus schedule and application.

School Lunch Program

Our school provides nutritious meals daily. We encourage any family that qualifies for free and reduced priced lunches to fill out the application forms and return them to the school office. All the necessary information is attached. All information is kept confidential. Applications are available on the VUSD website under Parents - Food Service. If you have any questions, you can call our Food Service Manager, Kathy Olson, at 795-8528.

The Breakfast and Lunch menus are available under the AMS website Departments - Hawk Cafe.

Cell Phones/Electronic Devices

Electronic devices, e.g. iPods, cell phones, cameras, etc. are NOT to be used during school hours without the consent of the classroom teacher and/or principal. Students who violate this rule will be held to consequences determined by the principal. Keep in mind that Avery staff cannot guarantee the safety of these devices. Students run the risk of theft or damage when they bring these items to school.

Dress Code

Dress Code

The school dress code is specifically outlined in the Parent Student Handbook. We would like to clarify a few problem areas, which tend to come up every year:

Garments shall be sufficient to conceal undergarments at all times and pants must be worn at the waist.

No bare midriffs. No low-cut or revealing tops. No “off the shoulder” blouses. Shirts/tops MUST touch the top of the pants/shorts. However, longer shirts/tops must be worn for PE and/or recess games.
No garment may be worn that is cut-off, ragged or torn.
“See through” or “fish net” type of blouse or shirt may only be worn over another appropriate garment. Students must wear shirts at all times.
Tank tops must be at least two inches width at the shoulder with a modest sleeve opening.

Students will be allowed to wear shorts within the following guidelines:

Shorts must be hemmed and may not be any shorter than the end of the fingertips when hands are at the sides.

Please see the Dress Code guidelines as stated in the VUSD Dress Code form under Student Registration Forms.